Two vaccination clinics to close Friday

NEWS RELEASE
REGION OF WATERLOO
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Two of Waterloo Region’s vaccination clinics will close after administering their final doses on Friday, August 13. Health Sciences Campus Kitchener vaccination clinic will close to prepare for classes and students this fall. The Wellesley vaccination clinic will close to the public but will still have vaccine on hand for patients of the Centre for Family Medicine’s rural practice.

“We’re immensely grateful for partnerships with the Centre for Family Medicine and the University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy which have made it possible for these two vaccination clinics to immunize thousands of residents,” said Karen Redman, Regional Chair. “Thank you to all the physicians, pharmacists, nurses, administrative staff, students and volunteers at these clinics who have gone above and beyond to protect residents living in Waterloo Region’s urban and rural communities.”

“We are grateful and proud that the University of Waterloo and our School of Pharmacy were able to partner with Region of Waterloo and the Centre for Family Medicine to play a pivotal role in keeping our communities safe with these vaccination clinics,” said Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo. “To our team of faculty members, students and employees who directed so much of their time and energy to this important work, we thank you. Your service at the front lines of clinics, community pharmacies and hospitals is making the region a safer place.”

Health Sciences Campus and Wellesley vaccination clinics are open from 5-8 p.m. on August 13. Walk-ins for first and second doses are welcome. Anyone who had a second-dose appointment scheduled at Health Sciences Campus or Wellesley vaccination clinics after August 13 has been contacted to reschedule their appointment at another location.

“We are so grateful to everyone who came together to make the vaccination clinic successful,” said Kara Dejong, Clinic Manager. “Special thanks to all of our volunteers, staff and partners who shared their time and efforts. Our journey would not have been the same without these incredibly kind, hardworking and dedicated individuals. It was an honour to do our part to assist with Waterloo Region’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts. The experiences and relationships we have forged will last a lifetime.”

Now that over 74 per cent of the eligible population are fully vaccinated, and almost 84 per cent have had their first dose, the Waterloo Region Vaccine Distribution Task Force is beginning to wind down operation of the regional vaccination clinics.

The Task Force will continue to target priority neighbourhoods with lower vaccination rates where residents face barriers to accessing the vaccine. Two mobile vaccination buses, in operation since July, are bringing vaccines to priority neighbourhoods, work places, churches, shopping centres, festivals, markets and other locations to make it easier for those who still need a first or second dose of the vaccine.

Vaccines are also available at many family doctors’ offices (for their patients) and local pharmacies.

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